The 15-day lockdown order for the entire country of France, issued by French President Emmanuel Macron on the evening of March 16, officially took effect at 12 noon on March 17 for 15 days. This is the strongest measure of the government in this country in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19, in the context of nearly 6,600 people infected and 148 deaths in France.
On national television, watched by 35 million people, Mr Macron announced the new measures. His speech repeated six times that "the country is at war". "I know what I am asking of you is unprecedented, but the circumstances demand it," the French president said. "The enemy is there: it is invisible, elusive, but it is evolving."
The French Prime Minister's speech repeated six times that "the country is at war"
French cafes, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops were ordered to close from midnight on March 14. Since the lockdown, all French people have been ordered to stay at home and only leave their homes to buy food, go to the pharmacy, see a doctor or go to work because they cannot work remotely. People can also go out for exercise but only within their homes and not in large groups.
However, all of these reasons must be supported by a mandatory one-time-use form. Violators will be fined 38 euros for the first time and up to 135 euros for subsequent offenses, and may even be prosecuted in serious cases.
People going out must bring declaration forms.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said 100,000 police officers would be deployed to enforce the lockdown. Checkpoints have been set up across the country. Anyone leaving the country must have an approved declaration from the Interior Ministry.
Famous places in Paris are also deserted.
This unprecedented strictness was demonstrated by the cases of fines on the first day. “Since the morning of March 18, we have started the control and 4,095 people have been fined for violating the regulations. The fines have not only increased to 135 euros but can go up to 375 euros. This will be a factor to prevent people from violating the regulations,” Mr. Christophe Castaner told TF1 television.
